Why is my melasma not going away?

If you have the dermal pigment, it may take longer to fade away than if you have the epidermal pigment. Melasma is typically a chronic disorder. This means that it's long-lasting (three months or more). Depending on the person, melasma may go away on its own, it may be permanent, or it may respond to treatment.

How do you get rid of stubborn melasma?

Common melasma treatments

The most commonly used treatments for melasma are skin lightening medications that are applied topically. These include medications such as hydroquinone, azelaic acid, kojic acid, niacinamide, cysteamine, rucinol, and tranexamic acid.

Why is it so hard to get rid of melasma?

Because the condition is fueled primarily by sunlight and female hormones, there's no true way to cut off the stimulus for melasma. In other words, you may get encouraging results from a gentle chemical peel, but they're likely to be short-lived. Eventually, nature will regain the upper hand.

Will I have melasma forever?

Melasma may go away on its own. This usually happens when a trigger, such as pregnancy or a medication, causes melasma. When you deliver your baby or stop taking the medication, melasma can fade. Melasma can also last for years, or even a lifetime.

What is the fastest way to cure melasma?

Chemical peels are also a great way of lightening melasma. Thanks to the glycolic acid that's available in a chemical peel, the first layer of skin that contains melasma will be peeled off. Another option is laser treatments. However, if you decide to opt for one, go for a restorative or fractional dual laser.

STUBBORN Hyperpigmentation is NOT Going Away

Does melasma get darker before it fades?

“People think it's going to fade—which it will do—but it won't do that without scrubbing away the cells and working on it. And sometimes it'll get darker before it gets lighter,” As with the night, it seems.

What are 3 different types of melasma?

Historically, melasma has been classified as having three histologic variants: epidermal, dermal, and mixed [1].

What can be mistaken for melasma?

Melasma can be confused with other causes of hyperpigmentation, including postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, drug-induced hyperpigmentation, and pigmented contact dermatitis.

Who is most prone to melasma?

You have a greater risk if you: Are a woman between the ages of 20 and 40: Melasma is much more common in women than men. Hormones seem to play a role in causing melasma. Have a medium or dark skin tone: Melasma develops more frequently in these skin tones than in lighter skin tones.

Which hormone causes melasma?

Melasma is often associated with the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. It is common in: Pregnant women. Women taking birth control pills (oral contraceptives)

What products worsen melasma?

Skin care products: A product that irritates your skin in general will likely make your melasma worse. Soaps: Some scented soaps are thought to cause or worse melasma. Tanning beds: The UV light produced by tanning beds damages your skin just as bad as the UV light from the sun, and sometimes worse.

Does retinol remove melasma?

Retinol is a derivative of vitamin A, so retinol is very effective in treating melasma and dark spots, promoting outstanding effects when used on the skin.

Does Foundation worsen melasma?

Skin Care Products/ Cosmetics: Skin irritations from cosmetic and skincare products can worsen melasma. Use non-comedogenic and fragrance-free formulas that help, not hurt, your skin, such as the Oxygenetix Foundations and Hydro-Matrix.

Will retinol make melasma worse?

There's a catch, though: Retinol can be irritating (which we know can end up making melasma worse), so start with a gentle retinol formula and use it slowly at first: One night a week for one week, two nights a week for two weeks, three nights a week for three weeks, then every other night indefinitely.

What are the two types of melasma?

Melasma can be categorized as “epidermal” or “dermal”, or mixed. Epidermal melasma means the pigment (melanin) is in the more superficial layers of the skin called the epidermis. Dermal melasma means that the pigment is in the deeper layers of the skin.

How to tell the difference between melasma and hyperpigmentation?

Although it also is a type of condition characterized by darker patches of skin, melasma is differentiated from other forms of hyperpigmentation mainly by its cause; rather than just being sun-related, melasma is caused in part by hormonal changes within the body.

How do you get rid of stubborn hyperpigmentation?

Chemical peels, laser therapy, microdermabrasion, or dermabrasion are all options that work similarly to rid skin of hyperpigmentation. These procedures work to gently remove the top layer of your skin where the dark spots lie.

Why is my hyperpigmentation not fading?

Some cases of hyperpigmentation may never go away completely. If hyperpigmentation is caused by injury, then as the skin heals the discoloration will lessen as melanin is absorbed into the tissue surrounding the injury.

How many peels does it take to get rid of melasma?

Thus, glycolic acid chemical peels for melasma will often be found as adjunct therapies to more standard melasma treatment. The treatment will usually consist of four to six sessions over two to three weeks.

What foods control melasma?

Increase your consumption of foods rich in vitamins C and E. These antioxidant nutrients help repair sun damage to the skin that can cause melasma. These vitamins are found in foods like citrus fruits, kiwis, nuts, almonds, brightly colored vegetables, and in fish.

Is melasma a liver issue?

Risk Factors for Developing Melasma

Malnutrition may be a contributing factors because melasma is often found in people with abnormal liver function and vitamin B12 deficiency. Cosmetics containing hydroquinone may cause dark patches, like melasma.

Is melasma related to gut health?

Some investigations have confirmed the relationship between melasma and digestive problems too [11].

Can melasma be cancerous?

No, melasma is not a type of cancer. It's also not a sign of skin cancer. Melasma differs from skin cancer in that it typically feels flat and appears on both sides of your face.

Which vitamin is good for remove melasma?

Melasma responds well to hyperpigmentation-fading vitamin C, which has the additional benefit of protecting skin from UV damage. Experts recommend hydroquinone, a highly effective skin-lightening agent, though one concern is that it paradoxically darkens the skin.

Should you exfoliate melasma?

Exfoliating is also great for preventing melasma as it helps to smooth skin, remove bumps, and minimize dark spots by gently sloughing off dead skin cells. You can use a physical exfoliant (like a facial scrub), or you can use a chemical exfoliant.